Trudy Hindmarsh, Stagecoach principal at Yarm and Darlington, said: “I am so very proud of their efforts and achievements and that of their teacher Jodie Taibi.

“These exams are increasingly important to students now, since university entrance is ever more difficult. It gives them something extra to offer to admissions officers because of the UCAS points that these exams earn.

“At these levels, grade six to eight, the UCAS points are equivalent to an extra AS level or A Level, so they are very worthwhile.”

The 13 students, along with 15 other colleagues, are now preparing to sit Trinity College London exams in Musical Theatre in Performance this coming weekend at Teesside High School.

Trudy added: “I hope that those same successful LAMDA candidates will be able to earn the equivalent of another AS or A-level this weekend for all the hard work that they have put into these examinations.

“Stagecoach students leave us for the outside world with greater levels of confidence than is the norm, which helps them in any walk of life. But it is a privilege to also be able to give them something on paper.”